Sargassumfish

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Sargassumfish

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Lophiiformes
Family: Antennariidae
Genus: Histrio
Fischer, 1813
Species: H. histrio
Binomial name
Histrio histrio
(Linnaeus, 1758)

The sargassumfish, Histrio histrio, is a frogfish of the family Antennariidae, found close to the surface amongst floating sargassum weed in all subtropical oceans. Its length is up to 20 cm.

The sargassumfish has numerous fleshy weed-like dermal appendages which allow it to blend in with the floating sargassum weed in which it is usually found. It is a deep-bodied shapeless species, with long and thickened pectoral and pelvic fins which serve as limbs allowing the fish to 'walk' amongst the seaweed fronds.

They lie in wait for passing crustaceans and small fish, lunging out suddenly to snap up their next meal.

[edit] References

  • "Histrio". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. May 2006 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2006.
  • "Histrio histrio". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. May 2006 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2006.
  • Tony Ayling & Geoffrey Cox, Collins Guide to the Sea Fishes of New Zealand, (William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1982) ISBN 0-00-216987-8
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